Royal Mail attempts to get families back together again

Iain Russell

The Royal Mail has created a freepost address for those who are missing to attempt to make contact with their families.

The ‘Freepost Missing People’ address has been set up in time for the festive season, when many people think about their families and loved ones.

Getting back in touch with friends and relatives after a period away can be hard.

The new system is a simple way for missing people to send a message, with the option of doing so without the possibility of being traced.

The partnership between Royal Mail and charity Missing People was launched in November 2014, with Royal Mail distributing ‘high risk’ alerts to its postmen and women through their handheld scanners.

In its first year, 50 alerts have been issued to Royal Mail employees. Thirty five of those missing people have been found safe and well.

The Royal Mail’s Jeffrey Oatham said: “The creation of Freepost Missing People and our £50,000 contribution mark the next step in our partnership with Missing People.

“Royal Mail is dedicated to supporting the communities that we serve. We hope that those who are missing see the Freepost Missing People address and write to the charity so that families can be reunited at Christmas.

Jo Youle, chief executive officer of Missing People said: “For some people who are missing, taking the first step towards reconnecting with their families or loved ones can be very difficult.

“We hope the option of writing a freepost letter to receive free, confidential support from Missing People, and the option to reconnect, may encourage people to get in touch.

“Anyone writing in simply needs to provide a way for the charity to contact them back.”

To mark the one-year anniversary of its partnership with Missing People, Royal Mail is to contribute £50,000 to fund the national Child Rescue Alert system.

An alert is issued when a child is known to have been abducted or when their life is believed to be at immediate risk.

It will ensure the operation of a 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year system, for one year.

Missing People’s aid for families

Missing People is the only charity in the UK which is dedicated to bringing the 250,000 children and adults that go missing every year back together with their families.

Some missing people you will have heard of, but many more you won’t.

You can call or text 116 000 for advice, support and options if you, or someone you love, goes missing or runs away.